TAIPEI, Taiwan—Terry Gou, who founded Apple supplier Foxconn, said Monday he will run as an independent candidate in Taiwan’s presidential election, ending months of speculation. At a news conference, Gou criticized the governing Democratic Progressive Party, saying its policies have “brought Taiwan into the risk of war” with China, which…
Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of Foxconn, speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Gou declared Monday that he will run as an independent candidate for president in Taiwan’s 2024 election, ending months of speculation. TAIPEI, Taiwan—Terry Gou, who founded Apple supplier Foxconn, said Monday he will run as an independent candidate in Taiwan’s presidential election, ending months of speculation.
Gou’s Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is a major supplier to Apple and has many factories in China that manufacture iPhones. Gou has long had presidential aspirations. He lost in the Kuomingtang primary in 2019 and tried again this year, but the party selected New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih as its candidate. Back in May, Gou said on his Facebook page that he would support Hou’s candidacy.Gou’s speech emphasized unity because he has received criticism that he was splitting the vote, Hsiao Hsu-Tsen, a former deputy secretary-general of the presidential office who often comments on Taiwanese politics.
That is a high barrier to meet, as it requires 1.5% of the voting population in Taiwan, which is about 290,000 signatures, said Yeh-lih Wang, a professor of politics at National Taiwan University.